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The Isle of Wight Council's library review is set to formally close with no community losing its library.
A delegated decision report published today (Thursday 22 September) confirms arrangements that will see the establishment of community libraries in Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Niton and Shanklin.
These will be run from buildings leased by the council at preferential rates. The libraries will also have free access to the council's library book stock and will also benefit from broadband technology installed by the authority at no cost to the libraries.
The community libraries will complement six others the council will continue to run directly in Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Ventnor and Freshwater.
The council launched a review of its library service as part of the need to find £33 million of savings including £18million in the current financial year. The new arrangements will save the authority around half a million pounds a year.
Ian Anderson, IW Council director for community wellbeing and social care, said: "We are delighted that residents will still be able to access local libraries across the Island, but at a lesser cost to the council tax payer. These new libraries will be able to represent their local communities and will offer residents opportunities to use the sites in exciting new ways.
"While the council has worked hard to achieve this outcome, it would not have been possible were it not for the tremendous enthusiasm and dedication displayed by communities across the Island. Our colleagues in the Rural Community Council have also played an invaluable role in supporting the community's ability to take on public services.
"We look forward to continuing to work with these groups and the Rural Community Council in the future, to maintain and even enhance this much valued service."
The full delegated decision can be viewed on the following link: http://www.iwight.com/council/what_is_a_council/Delegated_Powers/latestde.asp
